Director - People Services

Synopsis

Director, People Services

EL2

Townsville, QLD Ongoing; Full-time Applications close Sunday 26 October 2025, 11:59pm AEST

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority) is a Commonwealth non-corporate entity, and a statutory agency established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Marine Park Act), reporting to the Minister for the Environment and Water. Our objective is the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef for all Australians and the international community through the care and development of the Marine Park.

Managing a reef roughly the size of Italy demands many skills and talents, so you don't have to be a marine biologist to contribute to our mission. From finance to marketing roles, we have a team almost as diverse as the ecosystem we protect. Our commitment and dedication to the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian public have a long-lasting impact, and we are looking for individuals who can bring their unique skills, experience, and knowledge to our high-performing and inclusive organisation.

Position

The role of the Director People Services is to provide high-level support, advice and technical expertise to the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive and Chief Executive Officer in relation to people management. You will lead and provide strong strategic direction to a small team of human resources professionals, providing services and support in relation to all people activities including employee relations, recruitment, enterprise bargaining, workplace health and safety (including dive), leadership and capability, workforce planning and organisational culture. The role provides key leadership support across specific areas of remit and expertise, and actively participates in leading organisational culture and governance, engaging staff, and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders.

As part of the Reef Authority’s Senior Management team, you will work collaboratively with other members of the Reef Authority’s leadership team to assist the Reef Authority with the overall organisational health and achievement of its strategic objectives.

About You

- You are an engaging leader who has demonstrated ability to motivate teams and individuals to achieve agreed business outcomes and drive continuous improvement of the efficiency and quality of the services provided by People Services.

- You are a strategic thinker, self-motivated with experience managing a diverse team in a complex and fast-paced environment.

- You will be experienced in efficiently managing relationships and expectations of others to achieve outcomes and are an excellent communicator.

- You thrive under pressure promoting continuous improvement, innovation, and agility.

- You can interpret, prioritise and align organisation goals to your team outcomes, maximising limited resources against competing priorities.

- You have extensive experience in driving a contemporary People Services’ agenda, including providing strategic advice on all elements of people management including employee relations, recruitment, enterprise bargaining, workplace health and safety, leadership and capability, workforce planning, business continuity and organisational culture.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic leadership of people functions. Set direction for workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and capability development aligned to the Reef Authority’s priorities and the broader APS reform agenda.

- Oversee employee relations and workplace culture. Lead policy and practice in performance management, workplace relations, diversity and inclusion, and wellbeing, ensuring compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009, Public Service Act 2009, and Enterprise Agreements.

- Manage People Services operations and service delivery. Ensure effective delivery ofPeople Services’ systems, recruitment services, workforce relations, workforce reporting, learning and development and all related operations with a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement.

- Build capability and develop leadership pipelines. Design and implement strategies for talent management, succession planning, leadership development, and learning initiatives to build a high-performing workforce.

- Provide expert advice and represent the Reef Authority. Advise the Executive and Senior Management on people strategies and risks, represent the Reef Authority in APS-wide working groups, and contribute to whole-of-government workforce initiatives and reforms.

How to apply

Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

You will be required to prepare a response document (“pitch”) in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.

Prepare a ‘pitch’, as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

- how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.

- any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

- how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

When crafting your response, we encourage you to review ‘Cracking the Code’ and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: www.apsc.gov.au.

Please complete your application online and provide:

- your ‘pitch’ (as described above and in the position description).

- proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)

- a current curriculum vitae (resume)

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website.

PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.

Notes

The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.

RecruitAbility

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Eligibility

The successful candidate will have relevant tertiary qualification and/or extensive experience in leading a human resources management function or a related discipline.

To be eligible for employment, candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of application.

The position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

The successful candidate will be willing to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.

Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:

- Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.

- Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.

- Evidence of citizenship status.

- Evidence of qualifications required of the role.

- Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.

- The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.

- The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.

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